Toy with Retractable Figure

ABSTRACT

A toy includes a telescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member and a second member slidably disposed over the first member, a handle portion coupled to one end of the first member, a head portion coupled to the distal end of the second member, an enclosure device slidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosure device having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion. The layer of fabric has at least two appendages extending therefrom. When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and appendages are fully contained within the enclosure device. When the head portion is fully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosure device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field ofchildren's toys. More specifically, the embodiments of the inventionrelate to a toy having a retractable figure.

Children of all ages enjoy playing games with toys. For infants inparticular, a popular game to play is “peek-a-boo”. The game of“peek-a-boo” generally involves an adult hiding a stuffed animal or dollfrom the infant, to the infant's dismay, and then suddenly making thestuffed animal or doll reappear, to the infant's delight. To hide thestuffed animal or doll, the adult typically places the object behindtheir back or behind another object in the room. There are no known toysthat currently allow for an adult to play the game of “peek-a-boo” withan infant or toddler, without the adult having to hide the stuffedanimal or doll behind an object or the adult's body. Therefore, there isa current need for a toy having a retractable figure that allows anadult to play the game of “peek-a-boo” with an infant without having tohide an object behind the adult's body or another object in the room.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are notlimited in their application to the details of construction and to thearrangement of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention arecapable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition,the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes a telescopingmember, the telescoping member having a first member and a second memberslidably disposed over the first member, a handle portion coupled to oneend of the first member, a head portion coupled to the distal end of thesecond member, an enclosure device slidably disposed over thetelescoping member, the enclosure device having an interior surface andan exterior surface, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter ofthe interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion.The layer of fabric has at least two appendages extending therefrom.When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device,the layer of fabric and appendages are fully contained within theenclosure device. When the head portion is fully extended outside of theenclosure device, the layer of fabric and appendages are substantiallylocated outside of the enclosure device.

Another embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes atelescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member and asecond member slidably disposed over the first member, a handle portioncoupled to one end of the first member, a head portion coupled to thedistal end of the second member, an enclosure device slidably disposedover the telescoping member, the enclosure device comprised of aflexible material, the enclosure device having an interior surface andan exterior surface, the exterior surface having a first layer of fabricsecured thereto, the first layer of fabric covering the entire exteriorsurface, a second layer of fabric secured to at least a portion of theexterior of the first layer of fabric, the second layer of fabric havinga decorative shape, and a layer of fabric secured to the perimeter ofthe interior surface of the enclosure device and to the head portion.The layer of fabric has at least two appendages extending therefrom.When the head portion is fully retracted within the enclosure device,the layer of fabric and the at least two appendages are fully containedwithin the enclosure device. When the head portion is fully extendedoutside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the at leasttwo appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosuredevice.

Another embodiment of the toy with retractable figure includes atelescoping member, the telescoping member having a first member, asecond member slidably disposed over the first member, and a stoppermechanism coupled to one end of the first member to prevent the firstmember from separating from the second member, a handle portion coupledto the other end of the first member, a head portion coupled to thedistal end of the second member, the head portion configured to resemblethe head of an infant, an enclosure device slidably disposed over thetelescoping member, the enclosure device comprised of a flexiblematerial, the enclosure device having an interior surface and anexterior surface, the exterior surface having a first layer of fabricsecured thereto, the first layer of fabric covering the entire exteriorsurface, a second layer of fabric concentrically secured to the firstlayer of fabric around a portion of the enclosure device, the secondlayer of fabric shaped to resemble a plurality of flower pedals, and alayer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of theenclosure device and to the head portion. The layer of fabric has fourappendages extending therefrom, two of the appendages configured toresemble arms of an infant and two of the appendages configured toresemble legs of an infant. When the head portion is fully retractedwithin the enclosure device, the layer of fabric and the appendages arefully contained within the enclosure device. When the head portion isfully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric andthe appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosuredevice.

There has thus been outlined the features of some embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof may be betterunderstood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may bebetter appreciated. There are additional features of the embodiments ofthe invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the toywith retractable figure with the figure in the extended position.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the toywith retractable figure with the figure in the retracted position.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the toy withretractable figure with the figure in the extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified bylike reference numerals, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of anembodiment of the toy with retractable FIG. 10. Toy 10 includes atelescoping member 20, a handle portion 30, a head portion 40, anenclosure device 50, and a layer of fabric 60. Telescoping member 20 maycomprise a first member 22 and a second member 24 slidably disposed overfirst member 22. Telescoping member 20 may be comprised of variousshapes and materials. As an example, telescoping member 20 may becylindrical in shape and be comprised of a non-metallic material such aswood. Handle portion 30 may be coupled to one end 23 of first member 22.Telescoping member 20 may further include a stopper mechanism 28 coupledto the other end 25 of first member 22 to prevent first member 22 fromseparating from second member 24. Stopper mechanism 28 may fit partiallywithin first member 22 and extend from first member 22 to within secondmember 24.

Head portion 40 may be coupled to the distal end 26 of second member 24.In some embodiments, head portion 40 may be coupled to distal end 26 bya connecting member 42. One end of connecting member 42 may beconfigured to fit within second member 24, while the other end ofconnecting member 42 may be configured to provide secure attachment ofhead portion 40. As an example, connecting member 42 may have acircumferential groove 44 around which head portion 40 may be secured.Head portion 40 may comprise various non-metallic materials, such asplastic. The shape and size of head portion 40 may vary depending on theparticular figure desired. Head portion 40 may include eyes, a nose,ears, a mouth, and other features associated with the heads, dependingon the figure portrayed.

Enclosure device 50 may be slidably disposed over telescoping member 20.Enclosure device 50 may have an interior surface 52 and an exteriorsurface 54. Enclosure device 50 may comprise various shapes and becomprised of various flexible and durable materials. For example,enclosure device 50 may be funnel-shaped and comprised of a thick papermaterial. Exterior surface 54 may comprise various materials and havedifferent colors and shapes to depict various objects, such as a flower.Layer of fabric 60 may be secured to the perimeter of interior surface52 and to head portion 40. Layer of fabric 60 may have at least twoappendages 70 extending therefrom. When head portion 40 is fullyretracted within enclosure device 50, layer of fabric 60 and appendages70 may be fully contained within enclosure device 50. When head portion40 is fully extended outside of enclosure device 50, layer of fabric 60and appendages 70 may be substantially located outside of enclosuredevice 50. Layer of fabric 60 may comprise various flexible materialsthat may readily deform and not wear out with prolonged usage. Examplesof such materials include, but are not limited to cotton, polyester, andnylon.

Head portion 40, appendages 70, and layer of fabric 60 may be combinedto form a FIG. 80. FIG. 80 may be shaped to resemble various figures.For example, FIG. 80 may be configured to resemble an infant, a clown,or an animal. The types of FIG. 80 that may be represented are numerousand may be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art. Asshown, FIG. 80 in the extended position, where FIG. 80 is substantiallylocated outside of enclosure device 50. In some embodiments, FIG. 80 maybe fully enclosed within enclosure device 50. In other embodiments, FIG.80 may be contained within enclosure device 50 such that FIG. 80 is notvisible to a viewer looking at device 10 from a side view.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of toy 10. As shown, FIG. 80 isin the retracted position, where FIG. 80 is fully enclosed withinenclosure device 50. To orient FIG. 80 within enclosure device 50, auser may grasp handle portion 30 and exert a downward force upon handleportion 30, causing first member 22 to extend downward and cause secondmember 24 to extend downward from within enclosure device 50 and pullhead portion 40 into enclosure device 50. As this occurs, layer offabric 60 collapses and appendages 70 are drawn within enclosure device50. A user may exert a downward force upon handle portion 30 untiltelescoping member 30 is fully extended and FIG. 80 contacts enclosuredevice 50 such that FIG. 80 can no longer be retracted within enclosuredevice 50. From the retracted position, to orient FIG. 80 to theextended position (see FIG. 1), a user exerts an upward force uponhandle portion 30 until handle portion 30 contacts the lower region ofenclosure device 50.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of toy 10 with FIG. 80 in theextended position. As shown, FIG. 80 is depicted as an infant, includingtwo arms, two legs, eyes, a nose, a mouth, a beanie. Also as shown,enclosure device 50 is depicted as a flower, with exterior surface 54having a curved upper edge to resemble flower pedals and a secondexterior layer 56 attached to exterior surface 54 to resemble flowerleaves. It is to be recognized that FIG. 80 and enclosure device 50 maybe designed in numerous fashions to resemble numerous figures andobjects that may be pleasing to an infant or young child.

With respect to the above description it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention,including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent andobvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships tothose illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the embodiments of the present invention.Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of thepresent inventions.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theembodiments of the invention of the application, which is measured bythe claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of theembodiments of the invention in any way.

1. A toy comprising: a telescoping member, the telescoping member havinga first member and a second member slidably disposed over the firstmember; a handle portion coupled to one end of the first member; a headportion coupled to the distal end of the second member; an enclosuredevice slidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosuredevice having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and a layerof fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of theenclosure device and to the head portion, the layer of fabric having atleast two appendages extending therefrom, wherein when the head portionis fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric andthe at least two appendages are fully contained within the enclosuredevice, and when the head portion is fully extended outside of theenclosure device, the layer of fabric and the at least two appendagesare substantially located outside of the enclosure device.
 2. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the enclosure device has afirst layer of fabric secured thereto, the first layer of fabriccovering the entire exterior surface.
 3. The toy of claim 2, furthercomprising a second layer of fabric secured to at least a portion of theexterior of the first layer of fabric, the second layer of fabric havinga decorative shape.
 4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the decorative shapeis a plurality of flower pedals and the second layer of fabric isconcentrically secured to the first layer of fabric around a portion ofthe enclosure device.
 5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the head portion isconfigured to resemble the head of an infant.
 6. The toy of claim 5,wherein the layer of fabric has four appendages extending therefrom, twoof the appendages configured to resemble arms of an infant and two ofthe appendages configured to resemble legs of an infant.
 7. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the telescoping member is cylindrical in shape andcomprised of a non-metallic material.
 8. The toy of claim 1, wherein theenclosure device is funnel-shaped.
 9. The toy of claim 1, wherein theenclosure device is comprised of a flexible material.
 10. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the telescoping member further includes a stoppermechanism coupled to the other end of the first member to prevent thefirst member from separating from the second member.
 11. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the second layer of fabric is in a shape of a shirt foran infant.
 12. A toy comprising: a telescoping member, the telescopingmember having a first member and a second member slidably disposed overthe first member; a handle portion coupled to one end of the firstmember; a head portion coupled to the distal end of the second member;an enclosure device slidably disposed over the telescoping member, theenclosure device comprised of a flexible material, the enclosure devicehaving an interior surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surfacehaving a first layer of fabric secured thereto, the first layer offabric covering the entire exterior surface; a second layer of fabricsecured to at least a portion of the exterior of the first layer offabric, the second layer of fabric having a decorative shape; and alayer of fabric secured to the perimeter of the interior surface of theenclosure device and to the head portion, the layer of fabric having atleast two appendages extending therefrom, wherein when the head portionis fully retracted within the enclosure device, the layer of fabric andthe at least two appendages are fully contained within the enclosuredevice, and when the head portion is fully extended outside of theenclosure device, the layer of fabric and the at least two appendagesare substantially located outside of the enclosure device.
 13. The toyof claim 12, wherein the decorative shape is a plurality of flowerpedals and the second layer of fabric is concentrically secured to thefirst layer of fabric around a portion of the enclosure device.
 14. Thetoy of claim 12, wherein the head portion is configured to resemble thehead of an infant, and wherein the layer of fabric has four appendagesextending therefrom, two of the appendages configured to resemble armsof an infant and two of the appendages configured to resemble legs of aninfant.
 15. The toy of claim 12, wherein the telescoping member iscylindrical in shape and is comprised of a non-metallic material. 16.The toy of claim 12, wherein the telescoping member further includes astopper mechanism coupled to the other end of the first member toprevent the first member from separating from the second member.
 17. Atoy comprising: a telescoping member, the telescoping member having afirst member, a second member slidably disposed over the first member,and a stopper mechanism coupled to one end of the first member toprevent the first member from separating from the second member; ahandle portion coupled to the other end of the first member; a headportion coupled to the distal end of the second member, the head portionconfigured to resemble the head of an infant; an enclosure deviceslidably disposed over the telescoping member, the enclosure devicehaving a funnel shape and being comprised of a flexible material, theenclosure device having an interior surface and an exterior surface, theexterior surface having a first layer of fabric secured thereto, thefirst layer of fabric covering the entire exterior surface; a secondlayer of fabric concentrically secured to the first layer of fabricaround a portion of the enclosure device; and a layer of fabric securedto the perimeter of the interior surface of the enclosure device and tothe head portion, the layer of fabric having four appendages extendingtherefrom, two of the appendages configured to resemble arms of aninfant and two of the appendages configured to resemble legs of aninfant, wherein when the head portion is fully retracted within theenclosure device, the layer of fabric and the appendages are fullycontained within the enclosure device, and when the head portion isfully extended outside of the enclosure device, the layer of fabric andthe appendages are substantially located outside of the enclosuredevice.
 18. The toy of claim 17, where, when the head portion is fullyextended outside of the enclosure device, the two of the appendagesconfigured to resemble legs of an infant additionally comprise a kneeportion and where there is a bend at approximately the knee portion, andwhere the knee portion rests upon the edge of the enclosure device whenthe head portion is fully extended outside of the enclosure device. 19.The toy of claim 17, additionally comprising a point of attachmentlocated between the layer of fabric and the appendages, where the pointof attachment consists of a section of stitching, where the section ofstitching consists of fewer than 20 stitches, such that the appendagescan rotate freely.
 20. The toy of claim 17, wherein the second layer offabric is in a shape of a shirt for an infant.